Instrument for secret writing and translating.



Patented Ian. 9, I900.

J. W. FOLLANSBEE.

INSTRUMENT FDR SECRET WRITING AND .TRANSLATING.

(Application filed Aug. 3, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Wi'h assas I 19329101 W y qflorgeys,

Unit Sra'rns l' ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN \V. FOLLANSBEE, OF TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

ENSTRUMENT FOR SECRET WRITING AND TRANSLATiNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,004, dated January 9, 1900.

Application filed August 3, 1899.

T0 (1U 20700717, if) 71mg (lo/warn:

Be it known that I, JOHN \V. FOLLANSBEE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Instrument, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in secret writing and translating by the use of. an instrument.

This invention relates to instruments adaptcd for use in the writing and translating of secret communications; and ithas for its object to provide a device of this nature comprising a plurality of concentric members having characters thereon and certain of which characters are adapted to be successively alined with pointers to indicate the properletters in accordance with the directions given.

In the drawings forming a portion of this specification and in which similar numerals of reference designate like and corresponding parts in both views, Figure is a top plan view of the device embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section, parts being shown in elevation.

Referring now to the drawings, the present device consists of a preferably cylindrical base portion 5, in the upper end of which is a circular recess 5, resultingin the formation of a flange 7 at the outer edge of the upper end of the cylinder, and upon this upper end is marked a series of numerals from 1 to 26, both inclusive, and which numerals are equally spaced. A shaft 8 is secured in the body 5 and projects upwardly therefrom through the recess (5 and above the flange 7. Vithin the recess 6 and upon the shaft 8 is rotatably disposed a disk 9, having a flange 10 upon its upper face adjacent its outeredge, and the upper end of which flange lies flush with the flange 7 and adjacent thereto. The upperface of the flange 7 has a number of tacks 11 driven into it, the heads of which tacks are provided with the letters of the alphabet in order. It will of course be understood that, if desired, these letters may be marked directly upon the flange 10. Between the disk 9 and the base 5is a washer 12, disposed upon the shaft 8 to form a better bearingsurface for easy rotation of the disk. The flange 10 upon the disk 9 results in the formation of a Serial No. 726,067. (No model.)

central circular recess 13, and in this recess is disposed a second disk 14, having a washer 15 disposed between it and the disk and en circling the shaft 8. This disk l thas a number of tacks 15 in its upper surface adjacent its periphery, and which tacks are marked with the letters of the alphabet, arranged in reverse order to those marked upon the tacks 11, the disks 9 and 14: being held against removal from the shaft 8 by means of a thumbnut 16 in threaded engagement with the outer end of the shaft 8 and which thumb-nut also acts to clamp the disks against rotation.

Two pointers 20 and 21 are fixed to the upper surface of the flange 7 at diametrically opposite points thereof and in line with two of the numbers upon the flange, the pointer 21 terminating at the edge of the flange 10, while the pointer 20 projects over the flange 10 and terminates at the edge of the disk 14:.

In practice this key may be employed in translating a message in the following manner, supposing the message having been written with reference to the key: If the word had is to be translated, the word might be found printed as follows: 23A22 1ON23 231321. This would mean that using first the outside pointer, which is at 23, the letter A is brought opposite the pointer, and then by reference to the number 22 the letter B is found. Then referring to the opposite pointer, 10 would indicate this pointer, and N would signify that the inner disk was to be rotated to bring N in alinement with the pointer, when it will be found that at 23 would be Sl10Wl1l1hel6hh91A. 23B21 indicates that B in the outside disk is to be brought opposite the pointer at 23, and then upon reference to 21 the letter D will be shown.

It will of course be understood that the above explanation gives only one of the numerous ways in which this key maybe used, and it may be of course employed in any desired manner.

What is claimed is- 1. A device of the class described, comprising a base provided with characters, a rotatable body mounted upon the base and having also characters, a second rotatable body provided with characters, a pointer fixed to the base and adapted to indicate the charac ters of the first-named rotatable body, and a second pointer fixed to the base and extending over the first-named rotatable body to indielate the characters of the second rotatable b0 y.

2. Adevice of the class described comprising a base having a recess and a resultant flange, numerals upon the flange, a disk Within the recess and having a flange upon its upper face marked with the alphabet, a second disk mounted within the inclosure of the flange and of the first disk and having the letters of the alphabet upon its upper face, and pointers fixed to the base and adapted to indicate the letters of the disks respectively.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a base having a circular recess and a resultant flange, numerals upon the flange, a disk Within the recess and having a flange upon its upper face marked with the alphabet, a second disk mounted within the inclosure of the flange of the first disk and having the letters of the alphabet upon its upper face, and a pointer for each of the disks, said pointers being adapted to indicate the letters successively.

4. A device of the class described comprising a base having a recess and a resultant flange, numerals upon the flange, a disk Within the recess and having a flange upon its upper face marked with the alphabet, a second disk mounted Within the inclosure of the flange of the first disk and having the letters of the alphabet upon its upper face, apointer fixed upon the flange of the base and adapted to indicate the letters of the first disk, and v a second pointer fixed upon the flange of the base and extending over the flange of the first disk and adapted to indicate the letters of the second disk. 7

JOHN W'. FOLLANSBEE. l/Vi tnesses:

THOMAS HENDRICKS MORGAN, J AMES E. 80mm. 

